I...I....Found him, I was going to ask him advice and he was there and he wouldn't wake up....I tried and tried and he just wouldn't wake up.....I didn't know what to do"

The family stood over the fallen Balto weeping as the rest of the dogs came one by one to pay their respects.  But the boat deck was small and there was too many emotions flowing.  Kodi's daughter, Faith, a popular creme husky came and coldly stared at the body.  She didn't know what the big deal was about.  Balto was ancient.  Anyone could see that.  But still she had to at least play they part.  She pushed past Ji-Zeru with a low growl "Outta the way wolf" she said under her breath.  Wolves were not fit to live here in this town anyway "He's my grampa as well, you've had you turn"

It was too much for Ji-Zeru.  she was smaller and younger but that didn't matter.  It enraged her to hear those muttered words, like he grief should have a time limit.  She whirled round with teeth bared and slashed Faith across the muzzle, laying it open to the bone, blood poured from the wound.

She stood ready, her fur erect, her fangs bared, ears pinned back tightly as Faith stood with shock and horror.

" You dirty little wolf" she spat as she lunged tackling Ji-Zeru off the boat and into the snow below before anyone could react.  An awe fell on the grieving group as the pair tumbled, snow flashing in a white cloud around them.  Faith ended up below Ji-Zeru and clamped her jaws onto a front paw. 

Ji screamed in pain and rage as Faith broke delicate bones and tore soft flesh. But before Ji-Zeru could think she lunged down and took Faith by the throat, shaking and ripping at the veins just below. Searching to blood.

Then a weight tackled her off.  Her brother and father held her while the others tended the stricken husky.  Ji-Zeru stood on 3 paws, blood dripping from her own wounds but also from her jaws and teeth.  She made no other effort to get to Faith though. 

The rest of the pack looked on horrifed by the devestation that had occurred and the blood that stained the perfect snow.  Violence here was a thing of the past and this you Ji-Zeru had upset the perfect world.  Someome would pay for the runiation of peace.  And the crowd turned to Ji-zeru.  The yearling, the victor, the wolf.

But Ji was not about to hang around to see a sentence hung over her.  She turned and though fire and pain bit into her damaged foot she ran, fleeing the accusing eyes,  Not once looking back to see the hurt and sadness she had caused. 

She thought she heard her mother call but she wouldn't stop.  How could she shame her family by behaving like...like..like a wolf.  Faith was right.  Wolves like her did not belong.  Even with dog blood inside them.  But she also knew her family or the other dogs may try to find her.  She had to prevent that happening.  It would be best if they never knew her again.  So she limped on. there was a call sounding somewhere, in her head that was pulling her in one direction. 

She was beyond the town borders and looking into a wood that seemed as dark and forbidding as her own thoughts but somewhere in there was what she had been looking for.  So she carried on until she found a river.  It was not too deep and she stood at the bank looking at the mess she had become in a few short hours.  Her paw was still dripping blood and broken but the rest of the bite marks had dried and clumper her fur togther. 

She took a long drink then studied herself some more, tears slipping from her green eyes.  Then she waded into the water, some deep instinct telling her that she could be followed from here and with the currant doing the main work she swam away from Nome....away from her family....away from everything she had ever know before.

Meanwhile in the town the search party was organised.  With Balto's body returned to the place he called home the dogs held council over what do do.  There were cries that Ji-Zeru be found and punished.  Others thought the blame should be shared equally.  Faye, Silas and Trace weathered questions and accusations.

Finally decorum was found as Jenna asked for silence, her voice srtong though full of grief.  She motioned Faye to say her part as Ji-Zeru's mother.

"I address you all as one of you" she said "but also as a mother.  Please I know my daughter is not blameless and her crime was severe but not all the blame should be assigned to one dog alone...."

"That thing is no dog" spat Faith who had recovered enough to take part in the proceedings "It's a wolf and has not place here"

Faye waited for the vitriolic tirade to die before carrying on "Yes Faith and I am sure you made your feelings known didn't you.  You provoked this and therefore as much to blame.  My daughter bled as much as you today" she then turned her eyes back to the group of dogs.

"This incident was a product of grief and provocation.  There is an equal blame to go round but we have lost a hero, a family member and a friend.  I think that words need to be said and said firmly but now is not the time or place for accusations, cat calling or hatred.  We have all suffered a loss.  When Ji-Zeru returns we can deal with this calmly, like Balto would have.

There were murmers of assent though one or two did not agree.  However Jenna's voice silenced them once again when she spoke.

"Faye, your words are wise but I think you must face the possibilty that Ji-Zeru will not be coming back"

Faye, Silas and Trace looked shocked.  The pack gasped.

Jenna continued "I know the look in Ji-Zeru's eyes as she left but more than that.  The blood trail she left has been followed to the river, her scent stops there and no trail comes out on either side, I fear that in trying to cross she was carried downstream" Jenna hung her head.

"I fear that the tracking group followed the river for many miles and no sign of you daughter has been found"

With that Jenna left.  The shocked group stood.  A double tragedy unfolded.  To lose their hero was terrible, even though Balto was very old.  But to also see a young one gone and possibly dead was too much.  Faye and Silas had tears staining their fur as Trace tried his best to be of comfort.  The group once again dispersed.  Too shocked to come to terms with what the day had presented them.

Only one remained.  Smiling cruelly to herself.  Two wolves for the price of one.  She owed them nothing even though her blood carried traces of the wolf strain.  Denial was a powerful armour.  And she was going to ensure that if that little wolf survived, she would never taint the town again.